News Digest

Director Richard Attenborough, ‘titan of cinema’, dies aged 90

Tributes have poured in for Oscar-winning director Richard Attenborough, who dominated the British film business for more than half a century. Lord Attenborough, who won two Academy Awards for directing Gandhi in 1983, died at lunchtime on Sunday. BAFTA described its former president as a “titan of British cinema” who set an example of “industry, skill and compassion” that business would do well to live up to. He was President of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and championed the British film business as an actor, director and prolific movie-maker.

Dickie Attenborough was passionate about everything in his life - family, friends, country and career.

Director Steven Spielberg

Gandhi was the highlight of his career, clinching eight Oscars, including best film. The 90-year-old was the older brother of naturalist Sir David Attenborough. Lord ‘Dickie’ Attenborough was born in Cambridgeshire in 1923 and educated at Wyggeston Grammar School and Emmanuel College Cambridge. He married the actress Sheila Sim when he was 21. His son Michael was born in 1949, followed by two daughters, Jane and Charlotte. Prime Minister David Cameron said: “His acting in Brighton Rock was brilliant, his directing of Gandhi was stunning - Richard Attenborough was one of the greats of cinema.”